Special day for Killyon NS as school marks a century

An afternoon of celebrations to mark the centenary of St Finian’s National School will take place in Killyon this Sunday, 1st May.
On Sunday, it will be exactly 100 years to the day when the school was opened in its current location. It was originally a two-roomed school with Mrs Bridget Fehily, as principal, and assistant Mrs Rafferty teaching there.
There was no electricity, running water nor heating, but there was a dry toilet. Since then, a lot has changed for the better - over the years the school building has been extended and upgraded with the latest addition of two new classrooms being opened last year. Killyon National School is almost unique in only having had three principals over the 100 years. All three - Mrs Fehily, Bill Fennessy and Mrs Jane Burke - will be honoured at Sunday’s celebrations.
A plaque will be unveiled to commemorate the day and a centenary tree will be planted by the oldest past pupil and youngest current pupil.
A presentation will be made to the class of 50 years ago. Roll books, artwork, a video and photo slideshow of current and past pupils will also be on display as well as a mock-up of an old-style classroom and the contents of an old time capsule will be opened.
The organisers, Patrick Gilsenan, Sandra McCooey, Jennifer McDonnell and PJ Massey, have been working hard on the preparations.